Cases of the disease which include the super-virulent ‘Aussie flu’ have almost doubled since the start of the year, according to official figures.

Public Health England (PHE) records reveal 93 people have died since autumn with 27 deaths reported during the first week of January.

There were 758 flu admissions to hospital last week compared to 421 in the final week of December.

While the link between flu and cold weather is still uncertain, studies reveal cases rise when temperatures drop.

It has sparked warnings to take extra care as the nation hunkers down for what could be a lengthy spell of winter weather.

Elderly and vulnerable people have been urged to avoid crowded places and ensure they are vaccinated against the flu.

Professor Paul Cosford, Public Health England’s (PHE) medical director, said: “Our data shows that more people are visiting GPs with flu symptoms and we are seeing more people admitted to hospital with flu.

“We are currently seeing a mix of flu types, including the A(H3N2) strain that circulated last winter in the UK and then in Australia.

“We encourage anyone who is eligible to take up their offer of the flu vaccine – it is not too late.”

Flu continues to spread like wildfire even after a cold snap, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Virology.